Open Mic Night Under the Stars

The Red Shoe Project in Redlands hosted an Open Mic Night event on the evening of April 25th, 2014. The doors opened at 6 p.m. and people were invited in to drink coffee or tea, create art, warm up and relax. People came from near and far to attend and at 7 p.m. the live music and poetry began. Open Mic Night will take place every Friday from now on at the Red Shoe Project at 6 p.m. “It gives the members of the community something different to look forward to every weekend. In Redlands, the appreciation of art is growing. This town understands the movement of expressing oneself without just words and embraces different styles of art, music and even poetry,” said the Executive Director of the Red Shoe Project and Redlands Native, Dawn McCoy. The Red Shoe Project was established in Redlands in 2012. The purpose of the organization is help heal and grow people of the community in a variety of services through coaching, individual counseling, eating disorder and cancer support and awareness. The organization’s staff consists of two trained and skilled success coaches, the founder Dawn McCoy and the Assistant Director Bridgett Diemer. “I enjoy the expressive side of creating art here, but I enjoy just being with our friends and spending time with the people who come through the door even more,” Bridgett stated. The live music and poetry is held on the front lawn. Donations are accepted but not required and tea and coffee is available. People from all ages are welcomed to attend; it’s a family friendly event. And new artists and poets are encouraged to contact Dawn McCoy and sign up to perform. One of the performers from Friday Night who played his guitar and sang, Redlands Resident Paul Rush commented on his experience as a participant. Paul stated, “Performing makes me happy and I enjoy making other people happy. Open mic night was great. My friends and other people were there to support me, it was fun. I plan to return and play again.” “The atmosphere is what I loved the most about the Open Mic Night at the Red Shoe Project. It’s a great place to come and relax. You can create art, listen to music, drink coffee, settle down and just be yourself” stated Tagea Barnett, an audience member who traveled from the city of Moreno Valley to attend the event. The doors open at 6 p.m. every Friday Night. Anyone and everyone are welcomed.